Just because it doesn't
fit the jealous Utah fan narrative, doesn't mean Air Force didn't
finish with the 24th most points in the final AP poll, which is, after all, the
criteria used for ranking teams in the poll.

UteanymousSalt Lake City, Utah

July 3, 2014 11:31 p.m.

AZUTE1

"The AP Poll only ranked 20 schools back then..."

AP only included the Top 20 in it's rankings, but in the final
poll, Air Force finished tied with Notre Dame at #24.

It's
laughable that you cite Utah's wins over "ranked" opponents as
sacrosanct, but are full of whiny excuses about why BYU's rankings
shouldn't count.

In your distorted mind, the voters are geniuses
when it comes to ranking Utah, but complete idiots when it comes to ranking
BYU.

btw, if Utah 2008 was really as good as you pretend they were,
why did Utah only finish #6 in the final BCS standings?

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

July 3, 2014 5:42 p.m.

"BYU beat Air Force(8-4) on the road, which finished #24 in the final AP
poll"

Misinformation and entirely false, as The AP Poll only
ranked 20 schools back then....Weak-sauce when compared to the 4 final ranked
teams we beat in '08, 2 in the Top-10, including Alabama which spent a
large chunk of the season at #1.

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

July 3, 2014 5:26 p.m.

"Texas Christian, Boise State, and Utah have been tearing it up over the
last decade, but in 1984 Brigham Young did something none of those other
'Little Big' teams have even gotten a legitimate shot at: they
finished #1. Unfortunately, BYU '84 differs from those other teams in
another way too: they did not play a single ranked opponent. The only so-called
'national champion' that didn't (though Oklahoma came very close
in 1956).

BYU's 1984 opponents went 61-85-3, placing their
schedule 96th amongst 98 division 1A schools. And yet their performance was as
weak as their schedule. They won five games by a touchdown or less, from a 20-14
win at 3-7-1 Pitt in their opener to a 24-17 win against 6-6 Michigan in the
Holiday Bowl-- by far the worst bowl opponent ever faced by a so-called
'national champion.' How bad was Michigan? They finished 6th in the
Big Ten, and the Big Ten was a horrid 12-15 against nonconference opponents and
1-5 in bowl games. The only conference in the country that was as bad as the Big
10 was the WAC itself."

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

July 3, 2014 5:01 p.m.

"The truth is the 38 sportswriter who voted BYU #1 in the 1984 AP poll were
fully aware of BYU's SOS, but still felt that BYU deserved their #1
vote."

Actually, what occurred is these human voters committed a
colossal error by ranking Pitt as high as they did so when byu barely beat them
they vaulted up in the rankings because everybody believed Pitt was something
they weren't....When OU hit town a couple of weeks later and curb-stomped
Pitt on their homefield, everybody saw Pitt for what they were, a terrible team,
and by then it was too late to reverse their second error of ranking byu so
high, that is if these voters wanted to maintain a modicum of integrity.

byu's drastic rise in the polls was a domino-effect, rooted in one
enormously collosal error originated in Pitt's preseason ranking, period,
end-of-story.

UteanymousSalt Lake City, Utah

July 3, 2014 3:17 p.m.

truthsandwich

Let is go already; you've already been caught in
several fabrications in order to make a weak point.

The truth is the
38 sportswriter who voted BYU #1 in the 1984 AP poll were fully aware of
BYU's SOS, but still felt that BYU deserved their #1 vote.

They
were certainly better able to evaluate BYU's "worthiness" than a
single sportswriter, 30 years after the fact, who was only 6 years old when BYU
won their championship.

DeepBlueAnaheim, CA

July 3, 2014 2:52 p.m.

truthsandwich

"BYU beat the absolute weakest schedule in the
country. They didn't beat any good teams."

That's an
absolute... untruth.

BYU beat Air Force(8-4) on the road, which
finished #24 in the final AP poll, higher than Utah's 2004 Fiesta Bowl
opponent, Pittsburgh, which finished #25, and was the only decent team Utah beat
in 2004.

BYU beat the absolute weakest schedule in
the country. They didn't beat any good teams. None. My point remains: not
a Championship by today's standards. Sorry.

talkinsportsGilbert, AZ

July 2, 2014 10:05 p.m.

distortedtruth

"If strength of schedule had mattered as much
then, BYU WOULD NOT have been considered the National Champions."

-Sports Illustrated

LOL at your deliberate misquote.

What Stewart Mandel (who was only 6 years old in 1984) really wrote was
this:

"Twenty-five years ago, "strength of schedule" was
not the hot-button subject it is today. If it had been, BYU MAY never have made
it to No. 1."

Mandel is obviously unaware of Bryant Gumbel's
"bo-diddly-tech" comment, or the fierce debate waged by pundits from
across the country for over a month regarding BYU's schedule, or the fact
that his own publication was one of the news organizations which named BYU
#1.

BYU was named No. 1 by the Associated Press, the United Press
International, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, CNN-USA Today, and the Football Writers of
America. The Cougars also won the Grantland Rice Trophy and the MacArthur Bowl.

SportsFanOrem, UT

July 2, 2014 9:22 p.m.

truthsandwich

"Not like they do today. 84 made them take a good
hard look at how they weigh strength of schedule."

You're
seriously going to argue that the opinion of ONE sportswriter 30 year after the
fact carries more weight than the 38 sportswriters of the day who did feel that
BYU had done enough to deserve the 1984 National Championship?

The
truth is, SOS mattered just as much in 1984 as it does today. BYU's
schedule was carefully scrutinized by sportswriters and coaches from every major
college football organization for over a month, but in the end, the majority
still felt that BYU was more deserving of being named national champion than any
other contender.

truthsandwichRANDOLPH, UT

July 2, 2014 3:12 p.m.

@DeepBlue

"Utah fans simply demonstrate their ignorance by
claiming that the poll voters in 1984 didn't consider SOS, as well as a
many other criteria, in their voting."

Not like they do today. 84
made them take a good hard look at how they weigh strength of schedule.

"If strength of schedule had mattered as much then, BYU would not
have been considered the National Champions."

-Sports Illustrated

DeepBlueAnaheim, CA

July 2, 2014 8:02 a.m.

Utah fans simply demonstrate their ignorance by claiming that the poll voters in
1984 didn't consider SOS, as well as a many other criteria, in their
voting.

In 1979, BYU entered their bowl game undefeated at 11-0, but
weren't ranked #1, in fact they weren't even ranked in the Top 10 in
both polls.

Why was that?

BYU played in the WAC (assumed
"weak" SOS) and hadn't built any national cachet with the
voters.

After five Top 12 finishes in the next six years, BYU had
built enough national cachet to overcome the SOS issues with voters.

Unfortunately for Utah, the Utes have never had any sustained period of
success.

In fact, the Utes have never had more than two consecutive
AP Top 25 finishes in their entire history.

BYU has had FOUR during
the Bronco/Kyle era (2006 to 2009).

royalblueAlpine, UT

July 2, 2014 7:38 a.m.

Here's one of the many headlines referencing #1 Miami that you can easily
find just by Googling "BYU Miami 1990"

BYU, Detmer Stun No. 1
Miami - Chicago Tribune

You can search the internet forever and never
find a similar headline re: the Utes.

royalblueAlpine, UT

July 2, 2014 7:34 a.m.

Tomahawk Red

"royalblue (aka Duckhunter)"

Sorry to
disappoint you, but I'm not Duckhunter. There is more than one BYU fan
living in Alpine you know.

BYU beat #1 Miami (and defending national
champion) in September 1990, the game that made Ty Detmer a serious Heisman
candidate.

It's part of history - look it up.

truthsandwichRANDOLPH, UT

July 1, 2014 6:14 p.m.

@DeductiveReasoning

"Utah only reached #2/#4 in polls in 2008, so
yes, BYU had a greater season in 1984."

Epic fail. The original
criticism from a BYU fan was that "Utah's great seasons were against
mid-major competition."

I asked if BYU has ever had a great
season against better competition than 2008 Utah.

1984 BYU played the weakest schedule in the country, then beat
a bad team in a non-major bowl.

56th strength of schedule is better
than 90th plus.

Again, epic fail.

Spokane UteSpokane, WA

July 1, 2014 5:05 p.m.

@ Tommahawk Red

Bingo! The correct answer is both A) and B) as you
will come to find out just as I have.

Tomahawk RedNorth Salt Lake, UT

July 1, 2014 3:12 p.m.

RockwellBaltimore, MD

As Utah fans are constantly reminding us,
the Utes would rather beat BYU, than go to a bowl, be ranked, or win a
conference championship.

---------

Either you:

A) produce quotes or links to even one single Utah fan saying this to back up
this absurd notion

or

B) made that up

Since
there is virtually no chance of A, I think we all know you made that up.

BYU has dominated in the last half century? Oh, okay. Well, Utah has
dominated in the last quarter century... and more importantly, over the last 15
years, which is what's actually relevant in the current state of the
game.

If you want your team to stand head and shoulders above Utah,
try beating them once in a while. Short of that, you and your entire base is all
bark, no bite.

Tomahawk RedNorth Salt Lake, UT

July 1, 2014 3:07 p.m.

royalblueAlpine, UT

Utah has never had the best quarterback in
the country

Utah has never had the best passer in the country

----------

???

Tomahawk RedNorth Salt Lake, UT

July 1, 2014 3:07 p.m.

royalblue (aka Duckhunter)Alpine, UT

BYU has never beaten the
#1 team either.

RockwellBaltimore, MD

July 1, 2014 12:30 p.m.

JohnInSLC

As Utah fans are constantly reminding us, the Utes would
rather beat BYU, than go to a bowl, be ranked, or win a conference
championship.

btw, BYU has owned the BYU-Utah series for the last
half century, since BYU built LES and finally started taking football seriously.

JohnInSLCCottonwood Heights, UT

July 1, 2014 11:45 a.m.

"while most make BYU look better"

Taysom4:

Well,
except for the whole 57–34–4, 9-of-12, 4-in-a-row thing.

royalblueAlpine, UT

July 1, 2014 8:25 a.m.

JohnInSLC

Some fans are forced to talk about "lesser"
accomplishments, because they have no superlatives to talk about:

Utah has never been the #1-ranked team

Utah has never beaten the
#1-ranked team

Utah has never had a Heisman Trophy winner

Utah has never had the best quarterback in the country

Utah has
never had the best passer in the country

Utah has never had the best
running back in the country

Utah has never had the best interior
lineman in the country

Utah has never had a national hall of fame
player

btw, #1 draft pick is NOT an achievement - it's simply
luck of the draw of what skill set the first team in the draft needs to fill (in
hindsight, it's clear that Alex Smith wasn't even the best quarterback
in the 2004 NFL draft);

Steve Young would have been the #1 draft
pick in the 1983 NFL draft if he hadn't opted to start his professional
career in the USFL;

Young and several other BYU quarterbacks
finished higher in the Heisman balloting than Alex Smith.

Taysom4HeismanHeber City, UT

June 30, 2014 6:02 p.m.

@Wookie

I'm not inferring that it was cowardly. Chris Hill said
the schedule would be too strong if they played both BYU and Michigan in the
same season.

@JohnInSLC

A lot of those stats are only
better for utah because of ancient football history in the early and mid
1900's. Sure, utah has 24 conference titles, but 19 happened in the first
42 years. They have 5 in the last 50 years. I don't know about you, but I
would consider that a drop off.

As for BYU, they had 0 in the first
42 years, and 23 in the last 50 years. And we probably would have had one or two
more if we were still in a conference.

As for the winning percentage
both overall and in bowl games, I think we all know BYU's record was awful
early and has been one of the best in the nation recently.

The fact
is, you can pick different windows and time periods and some make utah look
better while most make BYU look better.

JohnInSLCCottonwood Heights, UT

June 30, 2014 3:41 p.m.

Snack:

Y fan spin to promote their team as the better overall program
uses selective slices of history. Let's evaluate the records since 1922
side-by-side:

The Utes have NEVER even qualified for a bowl while
playing a Top 40 schedule.

BYU qualified for a bowl in 2013 after
playing the #38 schedule.

Utah fans love to talk the talk, but their
team obviously can't walk the walk.

deductive reasoningArlington, VA

June 30, 2014 1:58 p.m.

truthsandwich

Utah only reached #2/#4 in polls in 2008, so yes, BYU
had a greater season in 1984.

btw, Utah only finished #6 in the final
2004 and 2008 BCS standings, so by today's standards, Utah wouldn't
have even been good enough to make the 2014 playoffs.

by comparison,
every single BYU team during the Dave Rose era would have blown the socks off of
Utah's 1944 NCAA tournament champion, which wouldn't have even gotten
an invitation to the NCAA tournament, "by today's standards".

deductive reasoningArlington, VA

June 30, 2014 1:51 p.m.

Wookie

"So you are inferring that Utah cancelling with the Y and
opting to play against Michigan was a cowardly move?"

Nope,
that's what Utah's AD inferred when he said that he didn't think
Utah was good enough to play both BYU and Michigan in the same season.

SoonerUteSalt Lake City, UT

June 30, 2014 1:26 p.m.

"BYU will play anybody any where."And yet so many nobodys show up
on the schedule.

The important thing is fans would rather have an
8-10 win season over playing a real slate of opponents. Based on real results
(i.e. on field), I can see why.

"Wake me up when Utah actually
has a winning season in the PAC-12."Wake me up when BYU crafts a major
schedule.

truthsandwichRANDOLPH, UT

June 30, 2014 1:15 p.m.

@BluHusky

"Both of Utah's great seasons were against
mid-major competition."

Has BYU ever, even once, had a great
season against a better higher level of competition than 2008 Utah had?

Can't wait to hear it.

WookieOmaha, NE

June 30, 2014 12:27 p.m.

BleuHusky:

So you are inferring that Utah cancelling with the Y and
opting to play against Michigan was a cowardly move? Especially playing at
Michigan? You do have a point, since the U and TCU have joined the BIG5 they
have been non-existent. This is because they have learned what your teams in WA
have learned; when you play top talent week in and week out it wears on a team.
I think you may not pay enough attention to the Y's schedule. They play
some okay teams but their SOS is weak at best. To say that teams avoid the Y is
silly. They avoid the Y becuase of the expense of travel and the grind of the
season. They get no bonus points for playing the Y with their SOS so there is
no benefit in doing so. Sadly, you may be slightly confused with your
assessment.

Go UTES!!

Ernest T. BassBountiful, UT

June 30, 2014 12:22 p.m.

He could line up anywhere on the field and brake records.

BlueHuskyMission Viejo, CA

June 30, 2014 12:06 p.m.

Enough with the broken record. Both of Utah's great seasons were against
mid-major competition. As were Boise State and TCU's BCS seasons. Neither
team has been heard from since joining the Big XII or the PAC-12.

Wake me up when Utah actually has a winning season in the PAC-12.

I
give BYU credit for huevos. They don't duck anybody and will play anybody
any where. Sadly, some of the "Big Boys" are afraid to come to Provo.

Big Boy Utah cancels two games with BYU because they're scheduling
Michigan. Oh wow! That shows some courage, for sure. Sadly, WSU and Washington
also bought out games with BYU. I'm ashamed of them, but at least UW played
and beat BYU in a bowl game.

My concern about BYU Independence is
that too many teams are afraid to play them in Provo. (Ditto for Boise in the
recent past). We'll just have to see if the new SOS requirements change
that cowardice.

FACTchequerSalt Lake City, UT

June 30, 2014 12:01 p.m.

Christy B

"I'm very proud of our SOS national championship
trophy, even though I'm not quite sure if such a trophy actually
exists."

It's very tiny and hidden under one of those PAC 12
stickers U see all over town.

Steven S JarvisOrem, UT

June 30, 2014 11:56 a.m.

Talking about Utah's bowl slate vs. BYU's is pointless. BYU has
played more big time bowl games simply due to the number of championships it
won. It will continue to play in bowls while Utah's program will continue
to miss out.

Jamal has a shot this year and next year to do
something special. He might get the record THIS year. He will certainly get it
next year if he doesn't hit the mark sooner.

Christy BSalt Lake City, Utah

June 30, 2014 11:53 a.m.

I'm very proud of our SOS national championship trophy, even though
I'm not quite sure if such a trophy actually exists.

ExecutorIohWest Jordan, UT

June 30, 2014 11:32 a.m.

The same Strength of Schedule rankings that show BYU with such a pathetic
schedule show Alabama only two spots above BYU. Maybe Alabama knows that
strength of schedule only matters if you are a one-loss team trying to get into
the playoffs. If you are 5-7 at the end of the year, the SoS trophy is a sorry
consolation prize.

ExecutorIohWest Jordan, UT

June 30, 2014 11:25 a.m.

It wouldn't be summer in Utah without Ute fans helping to make BYU Football
articles so popular.

truthsandwichRANDOLPH, UT

June 30, 2014 11:23 a.m.

@Uteanymous

Yes they did, and it was fun to watch. It will be
interesting to see if they can do it again this year.

Hill tends to
struggle against good teams.

I still expect them both to put up great
numbers this season. The schedule is very soft.

PavalovaSurfers Paradise, AU

June 30, 2014 11:04 a.m.

Gosh don't you know that the U is part of an elite conference now. Just
by being part of a Power 5 conf means that every game played is much more
difficult than non-power conferences. That's the elitest mentality at
it's finest. Just look at how often teams from the SEC or ACC travel out
west to play.

Doesn't matter if it's Iowa State, Utah,
Kentucky, Kansas, or some other bottom feeder, as long as you're a member
of the "he man woman haters club, you don't have to play anyone
else"

UteanymousSalt Lake City, Utah

June 30, 2014 10:50 a.m.

truthsandwich

They both put up big numbers against Texas - 555 total
yards rushing - the most rushing yards the Longhorns have EVER given up.

Cougsndawgs West Point , UT

June 30, 2014 10:35 a.m.

Good luck to JW...the player this article is about. I don't think the
article ever mentioned mediocre Utah (very few articles do these days lol).

BYU has played more ranked teams in bowls,
than Utah has played bowls.

Utah has almost always played in one of
the lower-tiered WAC/MWC bowls and the Utes have never managed to qualify for a
bowl in 10 straight seasons, something BYU is poised to do for the 2nd time in
their history in 2014.

Foul-hunterOmaha, NE

June 30, 2014 9:19 a.m.

If Jamal can stay healthy, he should have no problem breaking Unga's
record. The Y's offensive line is much better and the Y's schedule is
pretty conducive to such an event. However, Jamal runs with his head down and
will be prone to concussions. My take is that he will have his bell rung a few
times this season and he will be a little more cautious when flying into the
holes like he can and does so well. I hope he stays healthy.

Go
UTES!

WiscougarfanRiver Falls, WI

June 30, 2014 9:07 a.m.

Yes JohnInSLC, go ahead and post bowl records during the PAC12/Indy era. If you
have to go back to the entire Bronco/Kyle era than you have to conceded
"WAC-y mid-major" competition. If you want to talk entire history you
have to concede everything else (BYU's award winners, national champs,
consistently ranked, etc.). I don't see this working out too well for you.

Go Cougs!

WiscougarfanRiver Falls, WI

June 30, 2014 9:05 a.m.

Yes JohnInSLC, go ahead and post bowl records during the PAC12/Indy era. If you
have to go back to the entire Bronco/Kyle era than you have to conceded
"WAC-y mid-major" competition. If you want to talk entire history you
have to concede everything else (BYU's award winners, national champs,
consistently ranked, etc.). I don't see this working out too well for you.

Go Cougs!

JohnInSLCCottonwood Heights, UT

June 30, 2014 8:54 a.m.

scott:

Oh, so you want to compare bowl records?

LonestarRunnerSalt Lake City, UT

June 30, 2014 7:52 a.m.

Todd Christensen -- 5x Pro Bowl selection (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987), 2x
Super Bowl champion (XV, XVIII) -- was a running back at BYU and started his NFL
career playing full back for the Dallas Cowboys, before breaking his leg in the
final exhibition game of the season.

Todd switched to tightend when
he played for the Oakland Raiders.

scottAlpine, UT

June 30, 2014 7:38 a.m.

JohnInSLC

And the Utes will be spending another bowl week watching
from the comfort of their couch as BYU plays in their 10th straight bowl game,
something the Utes have NEVER achieved.

JohnInSLCCottonwood Heights, UT

June 29, 2014 11:18 p.m.

"Tell me the success stories of utah's RB's in the NFL."

darren:

You mean like Pro Bowler Jamal Andeson, and Nfl
Rookie of the Year Mike Anderson? And lets not leave out Chris
Fuamatu-Maʻafala's eight year career.

Midmajor:

And the Cougs will be losing another irrelevant bowl game. yay?

Jeff29Draper, UT

June 29, 2014 11:17 p.m.

I love when all the Ute trolls disparage BYU's "WAC / Mid-major"
schedule and then go onto justify their inclusion in the PAC-12 based on their
success in a, well, mid-major conference. When was the last time the U had a
winning record? When they played in a mid-major conference. The hypocrisy is
so think it would be humorous if it weren't so pathetic.

midpacmajorSalt Lake City, Utah

June 29, 2014 10:58 p.m.

navelvet

Phil Steele's 2014 Top 40 Countdown

#38
BYU

unranked Utah

The Utes will be playing in their 3rd
straight couch potato bowl.

idabluIdaho Falls, ID

June 29, 2014 10:50 p.m.

Anae"s formula for success: First 2 plays up the middle for little gain, 2
yd screen pass , then punt.

UteanymousSalt Lake City, Utah

June 29, 2014 10:42 p.m.

JohnInSLC

Evidently you've forgotten that ALL of Utah's
past glories, as sparse and mediocre as they were, came against WAC-y mid-major
competition.

In 49 seasons in the WAC/MWC, the Utes only managed TWO
11+ win, Top 25 seasons.

BYU has had THREE 11+ win, Top 25 seasons
since 2006.

Call us when the Utes actually accomplish something in
the PAC besides slapping PAC 12 stickers all over town.

UteanymousSalt Lake City, Utah

June 29, 2014 10:34 p.m.

Naval Vet

Feel free to dust off another shelf in your hall of fame
closet for Utah's latest SOS trophy and slap another PAC 12 sticker on
something if it helps U sleep at night.

Meanwhile, BYU will continue
qualifying for bowls, adding to their national rankings totals, and actually
achieving something more worthwhile than simply being cannon fodder for the big
boys of the PAC.

UteanymousSalt Lake City, Utah

June 29, 2014 10:23 p.m.

JohnInSLC

"Now tell us, how many times--last century or this--BYU
has produced a No. 1 overall draft pick?"

#1 draft pick is NOT a
national individual major college football award.

Of course, we
wouldn't expect Utah fans to understand that, since no Utah player has ever
won a Heisman, Doak Walker, Outland, Davey O'Brien, Sammy Baugh or any
other national individual award.

JohnInSLCCottonwood Heights, UT

June 29, 2014 9:45 p.m.

Wiscougar:

Evidently you've forgotten that all of BYU's
past glories (collective and individual) came against WAC-y mid-major
competition, too. They don't count either.

Cheered!

WiscougarfanRiver Falls, WI

June 29, 2014 9:08 p.m.

RE: JohnInSLC

Oh, bummer for you that your No. 1 pick and undefeated
seasons all happened against WAC-y mid-major competition so they don't
count. You need to keep up with all the anti-byu trolls who inform us of as
much multiple times a day. Oh, and FWIW, we have had a national award winner
this century (Staley). Cheers.

Naval VetPhiladelphia, PA

June 29, 2014 8:24 p.m.

Steven Jarvis:

"Seriously, the argument about BYU's schedule
is really foolish. Its still going to be a top-50 schedule with seven teams on
it that went bowling last year."

Phil Steele already put out his
preseason SOS. The indy-irrelevant WAC-wannabes' schedule was ranked #73.
That's not "Top-50". That's bottom half. JW's stats
should be off the charts on account of THIS schedule. That is some weak SOS.

"Eleven wins during the regular season should be enough to go to one
of the New Year bowls."

Not with THAT schedule you won't.
You wouldn't even get one with 12 wins. You're going to Miami.
Period.

Ronald UharrietSWun City, Ca.

June 29, 2014 8:14 p.m.

It sounds like a fantastic running game season again.

Will we ever be
remembered again, as the QB factory with the West Coast Passing game?Will
we ever be remembered again as the Tight End Catching game that often got us
into the end zone? Could Jim Mac Mann and Ty Detmer made it in today, offensive
play calling?

Darren RoweHeber City, UT

June 29, 2014 8:06 p.m.

@AZUTE1

This article is focused on the success of these RB's in
college, not the NFL. But if you want to play that game, let's do it.

Tell me the success stories of utah's RB's in the NFL. And I
don't want to hear who made a roster, any school has plenty of that. I want
to hear the RB's who had lots of success.

Uncle RicoSandy, UT

June 29, 2014 7:58 p.m.

Anae said it because he's confident in his offensive line this year.
let's hope he's right. I wish we could play Utah 12 times this year,
he's get his record for sure.

Howard S.Taylorsville, UT

June 29, 2014 7:39 p.m.

It wouldn't be summer in Utah without projections of impending BYU football
glory.

Guam_BombBARRIGADA, GU

June 29, 2014 7:21 p.m.

"BYU’s offensive line has more combined starts than any group
returning in the NCAA." Yet they still haven't proven that they can get
it done up front against the big boys. The fact that Williams is even in this
position is a testament to his talent. I hope BYU has a good season. But they
sound exactly like they did last year, a lot of talk without much to back it up
in the regular season. Last year they lacked the heart and mental toughness to
win the big games (the University of Houston win was not a big game) against big
teams. The coaching BYU coaching staff hasn't proven that they can get that
type of effort out of a very talented team. How about less talk in June and more
results in the fall.

JohnInSLCCottonwood Heights, UT

June 29, 2014 6:47 p.m.

"Utah, which has never won a national individual award of any kind."

talkin':

Thank you for the last-century history lesson.
Now tell us, how many times--last century or this--BYU has produced a No. 1
overall draft pick? Or, had more than one undefeated season?

Hint:
Rhymes with never.

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

June 29, 2014 4:16 p.m.

I'd be interested in hearing all about the NFL careers of all of these RBs
mentioned w/in this article....Anybody?

Steven S JarvisOrem, UT

June 29, 2014 3:29 p.m.

@trolls

Seriously, the argument about BYU's schedule is really
foolish. Its still going to be a top-50 schedule with seven teams on it that
went bowling last year. Texas, UCF and Boise State have all won "BCS"
games. Houston and USU are pretty good right now. Those five games are all
strong opponents. MTS will likely be around the same strength winning 8-9
games, while I expect Nevada will be back above .500 while UNLV just below.

The bad teams are Cal, UConn and Virginia; however those squads are
supposed to be "power five teams". I am pretty excited to play all
three of those squads and Savannah State. Even the perceived bad games are
something most of cougar nation will enjoy.

IF BYU wins, they will be
rewarded. Get to six, go bowling. Get to ten and be ranked. Eleven wins
during the regular season should be enough to go to one of the New Year bowls.
Get all twelve and BYU will likely advance to the playoffs.

Wayne RoutEl Paso, TX

June 29, 2014 1:00 p.m.

Don't expect any changes. The offense will be runs up the middle,
quarterback draw, and passes far down field. This will be another 8 or 9 win
season.

Stringer BellHenderson, NV

June 29, 2014 12:01 p.m.

He seems like a fine young man and very good athlete. I don't see where
any pressure is coming from other than manufactured by the author of this
article. Do your best and have a great year.

talkinsportsGilbert, AZ

June 29, 2014 11:49 a.m.

Gotta laugh at CB's desperate attempt to shift the discussion from the
possibility of Jamaal becoming BYU's all-time leading rusher.

To
do that Jamaal would have to surpass a BYU player who was the best running back
in the nation his senior season, winner of the Doak Walker award, an
accomplishment that is inconceivable for a program like Utah, which has never
won a national individual award of any kind.

Who am I sir?Cottonwood Heights, UT

June 29, 2014 11:39 a.m.

46 carries for 163 yards. Not bad stats for a running back in a game? But for
the top five running backs mentioned in the article combinred professional
careers?

B CPark City, UT

June 29, 2014 11:28 a.m.

Following Chris B's line of reasoning that every player who plays a
particular position at a particular school is destined for the same fate as his
predecessors, Kendall Thompson and Travis Wilson are destined for the same
injury-plagued, career-ending meltdowns as Jordan Wynn.

Why did Wynn
miss most of his junior season and why didn't he play his senior year?

JohnInSLCCottonwood Heights, UT

June 29, 2014 11:22 a.m.

Williams is a proven commodity. Anae's the one that should be feeling the
pressure; he's the one who'll have to call the right plays. With that
schedule and good play calling, it could happen.

I sense a new
t-shirt slogan!

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

June 29, 2014 9:45 a.m.

He'll do well, if for no other reason than byu's schedule is so
utterly weak....He's talented but won't receive a great deal of
resistance by their opponents....Independence, gotta love it! Lol

Bountiful GuyBountiful, UT

June 29, 2014 6:56 a.m.

I would like to see play calling to be consistent with Coach Anae's
assessment. Taysom Hill could become an option QB instead of the predictable
QB-draw player he was last year. Taysom Hill could opt for passing to crossing
patterns, seam-running by tight ends, RB's over the middle, and quick
slants. And we mustn't forget a great running game, too. We could have an
offense that really mixes it up. All the players and tools are here. When
nothing is available, he could option himself for a scramble for 10-30 yards.
How fun would this kind of game be? It's all up to you, coach. Win games.
Don't concern yourself with individual records. Great teams focus on the
strategy of a game plan and the records tumble naturally.

Go Cougars.

Common-TatorSaint Paul, MN

June 29, 2014 6:21 a.m.

Will be great to see a multi-faceted offense this year.

When I
asked my then 8-year-old son, if he had to start a football team from scratch,
which positions would he go after first, he thought for a moment and said,
"Offensive line." How profound. If this line lives up to their
capabilities, it could be one incredible year both through the air and on
land!

And is it just me, or does anyone else think "Chris"
was born with a sour pickle in his mouth?

Taysom4HeismanHeber City, UT

June 29, 2014 12:02 a.m.

@Chris B

Unga decided to return for his senior season, but then he
was suspended and expelled from school for honor code violations. He applied to
be re-admitted, but was denied, forcing him to try to make an NFL roster. So his
"decision" to leave early was more because he didn't have a
choice.

Unfortunately for him, by the time all these events played
out, the NFL draft had already taken place, so he went to the supplemental
draft, where he was drafted.

As we all know, it has been a rocky road
for him ever since.

As for your comment on Williams thinking BYU was
a division 2 school (which you mention a little too often), it doesn't
really matter. He came to BYU didn't he? He is having success at BYU
isn't he? I honestly don't care what he thought as long as he came.

54-10Salt Lake City, UT

June 28, 2014 11:55 p.m.

Good back with both speed and power.

Good luck to him.

Herbert GravySalinas, CA

June 28, 2014 9:09 p.m.

The only "pressure" should be self-imposed and to just do his best on
every play. Nothing more, nothing less. He, nor anyone else, should not be
"worrying" about any records!

WiscougarfanRiver Falls, WI

June 28, 2014 7:55 p.m.

"just me getting into my grown man body."

Classic.

Chris BSalt Lake City, UT

June 28, 2014 7:18 p.m.

Why didnt unga play his senior year? He wasn't even drafted in the nfl
draft so leaving early was not the best decision

Steven S JarvisOrem, UT

June 28, 2014 6:05 p.m.

I will be thrilled with an average above 100 yds/game this year. If Williams
takes the record this year it will be icing on the cake.